How to Diagnose Pancreas Cancer?
Advanced imaging of the body:
A CT scan or MRI of the patient’s abdomen is done to detect the presence of pancreatic mass, image the pancreatic duct and plan for surgery.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography or ERCP In this test, a fibreoptic scope is used to look at the stomach and the small intestine. Subsequently, an X-ray dye is injected into the pancreatic ducts to take X-rays of the pancreas and check for the irregularities of the pancreatic ducts.
Biopsy In this procedure, small pieces of tissue are biopsied to establish the nature of the tumour.
What Are the Treatment Options for Curing Pancreatic Cancer?
The treatment of pancreatic cancer may vary depending on which part is affected as well as the stage of the disease. If detected early, surgery is usually the first treatment option. In the intermediate stages of the disease, chemotherapy may be given to downstage the disease before surgery is considered. To date, surgical resection remains the only potentially curative option for pancreatic cancer. The pancreas itself is divided into 3 parts – the head, the body and the tail of the pancreas. Pancreas cancer surgery may also be intended for both preventing and relieving the symptoms.
Pancreas Cancer Surgery
Typically, two main types of surgery are used for treating pancreatic cancer, namely:
- Whipple Procedure Whipple procedure, also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, is performed for tumours in the head of the pancreas. During the procedure, the head of the pancreas is removed by a pancreatic cancer surgeon along with the gallbladder, small intestine, stomach, bile duct, and nearby lymph nodes. It is usually considered a complex operation, which is best performed by an experienced pancreatic cancer surgeon in a hospital.
- Distal Pancreatectomy & Splenectomy In distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy surgery, the surgeon removes the body of the pancreas and the tail along with the spleen.
Other surgical options may include palliative surgery (bypass surgery). This surgery may be performed by a pancreatic cancer doctor if tests indicate that the tumour is locally advanced and cannot be removed completely. Palliative surgery aims to relieve or prevent certain conditions, such as a bile duct or intestine blockage caused by the cancer. Laparoscopic staging of pancreas cancer may occasionally be necessary. In laparoscopy, small cuts are made in the abdomen using a video camera to visualise the extent of pancreatic cancer dissemination to adjacent areas as well as other abdominal organs.
Are There Non-Surgical Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer?
Other treatment options may include radiotherapy to relieve pain and chemotherapy as a radiosensitiser to relieve pain in patients with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer.
What Are the Potential Complications of Surgery?
Pancreatic cancer surgery may result in the following complications:
- Whipple procedure may increase the risk of infection, diabetes, bowel disturbances, and bleeding.
- Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy may result in a higher risk of developing bacterial infections because of the removal of the spleen that helps fight infections.
- Total pancreatectomy may cause diabetes and improper digestion because of the lack of insulin and digestive enzymes due to the complete removal of the pancreas.
For further information on pancreatic cancer, please call us at 64751488 and get instant support from our specialist.
